Turbo air compressor

Abstract

A method for operating an air-conditioning system for an aircraft including receiving an available power level from a control system of the aircraft, forwarding air from a first compressed air source to an aircraft cabin and forwarding air from a second compressed air source to the aircraft cabin if the available power level exceeds a threshold value.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for operating an air-conditioning system for an aircraft comprising:
 receiving an available power level from a control system of the aircraft; 
 forwarding air from a first compressed air source to an aircraft cabin; and 
 based on determining that the available power level exceeds a threshold value, 
 forwarding air from a second compressed air source to the aircraft cabin, wherein a portion of air from the second compressed air source that is forwarded to the aircraft cabin is based upon the available power level; the air-conditioning system of the aircraft cabin also includes a discharge device controller, the controller is configured to instruct the discharge device to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin to the turbine if the difference in the ambient air pressure and the cabin air pressure exceeds a threshold value and to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin out of the aircraft if the difference in the ambient air pressure and the cabin air pressure is below a threshold value. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein air compressed by the first or second compressed air sources is subjected to cooling prior to entry into the aircraft cabin. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein air from the first compressed air source and air from the second compressed air source are mixed before entry to the aircraft cabin. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the air from the first compressed air source is formed by a compressor charged with ambient air, ram air and/or precompressed air and driven by a motor and/or a turbine. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the air from the second compressed air source is formed by a second compressor charged with ambient air, ram air and/or precompressed air and driven by a motor and/or a turbine. 
     
     
       6. An air-conditioning system for an aircraft, comprising:
 a first compressed air source whose outlet is in direct or indirect communication with an aircraft cabin; a second compressed air source whose outlet can be connected directly or indirectly to the aircraft cabin; a controller that receives an available power level from a control system of the aircraft and responsively controls the first and second compressed air sources, wherein a portion of air from the second compressed air source that is forwarded to the aircraft cabin is based upon the available power level; wherein when the power level is below a threshold only the first compressed air source is in communication with the aircraft cabin, and 
 wherein when the power level is above the threshold both the first and the second compressed air sources are in communication with the aircraft cab; the air-conditioning system of the aircraft cabin also includes a discharge device controller, the controller is configured to instruct the discharge device to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin to the turbine if the difference in the ambient air pressure and the cabin air pressure exceeds a threshold value and to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin out of the aircraft if the difference in the ambient air pressure and the cabin air pressure is below a threshold value. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first compressed air source and the second compressed air source are connected in parallel. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 6 , wherein outlet air of the first compressed air source and outlet air of the second compressed air source are combined at a mixing point, with the mixing point being formed by a chamber. 
     
     
       9. A method of operating an air-conditioning system for an aircraft having a first compressed air source whose outlet can be connected directly or indirectly to an aircraft cabin and at least one second compressed air source whose outlet can be connected directly or indirectly to the aircraft cabin, comprising: operating in a first operating mode where only the first compressed air source is in communication with the aircraft cabin, and operating in a second operating mode where both the first and the second compressed air sources are in communication with the aircraft cabin, wherein a selection of an operating mode depends on a available power level in the aircraft such that the first operating mode is selected at a low available power level and the second operating mode is selected at a power level higher in comparison, wherein a portion of air from the second compressed air source that is forwarded to the aircraft cabin is based upon the available power level; the air-conditioning system of the aircraft cabin also includes a discharge device controller, the controller is configured to instruct the discharge device to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin to the turbine if the difference in the ambient air pressure and the cabin air pressure exceeds a threshold value and to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin out of the aircraft if the difference in the ambient air pressure and the cabin air pressure is below a threshold value. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein air compressed by the first or second compressed air sources is subjected to cooling prior to entry into the aircraft cabin. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein air from the first compressed air source and air from the second compressed air source are mixed before entry to the aircraft cabin. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the air from the first compressed air source is formed by a compressor charged with ambient air, ram air and/or precompressed air and driven by a motor and/or a turbine. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the air from the second compressed air source is formed by a second compressor charged with ambient air, ram air and/or precompressed air and driven by a motor and/or a turbine.